Om Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 Got my notice yesterday from the IRS, telling me how much they're planning to contribute toward the 61 " HDTV I'm gonna pick up at the end of August. This morning, I find this: IRS Says Some Tax Cut Check Notices in Error July 18, 2001 6:38 am EST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Some people may be disappointed by the size of the income tax cut check they receive later this summer as the Internal Revenue Service said on Tuesday it sent about 523,000 erroneous notices informing taxpayers they will get the maximum possible refund. "We're talking about fewer than one-half of 1 percent" of all the notices, said IRS spokesman Anthony Burke. He blamed the snafu on a computer programming error. The IRS started sending the more than 112 million notices on Monday, about a week ahead of when the first batch of checks are expected to arrive in mailboxes. Burke said there were about 523,000 erroneous notices, which were intended to let taxpayers know when they should receive their checks and how large they will be. He said the checks will be correct but some people could get a notice promising the maximum refund and a check for less. The IRS had intended to mail the notices earlier, but held off while Congress debated a spending bill to pay for the mailings. That bill is still bottled up on Capitol Hill. Corrected notices are expected to be sent out by next week, Burke said. The checks, which are being cut at eight government check printing centers around the nation, are being sent out over a period of 10 weeks and will total a maximum of $300 per person, $600 per couple filing jointly and $500 for a head of a household. The refunds are part President Bush's 10-year, $1.35 trillion income tax cut recently enacted by Congress. * Any of our resident Esquire's want to represent me, and the other 521,999 jilted taxpayers, in a class-action suit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redman Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 I'm not a tax attorney, but if they're correcting it in the notice phase of the process then you're likely out of luck. While you did get your hopes up (approximately 61" apparently) it's basically no harm, no foul. Are you sure they were telling you you got the maximum refund? And are you sure you don't deserve it (remember, some people do, but it was others who got the faulty notice). ------------------ "Loosen up, Sandy baby. You're just too damn tight!" - John Riggins to Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaFunky1 Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 I heard about this on the news the day before I got my notice. I have decided I am not going to bank on the money. From what I understand the refund check is based on taxes paid this year, but refunded from last years taxes paid. Well at least that is basically what they said on the news the other day. I have not paid taxes since last year. I have been undergoing vocational rehabilitation due to an on the job injury. Since I have not paid taxes this year, at least from what I understand in the news report, I would assume I will not be entitled to the refund. Maybe some of the tax accountants, I assume we have one or two, on here can clarify who actually will get money and who won't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 Who cares about refund checks here? Let's talk about televisions . What brand are you scoping out, Om? ------------------ Doom is in the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 tv's? I want to know what the Cowboys are going to with their tax money. You can bet it's going to be more creative than whatever WE come up with Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Om Posted July 19, 2001 Author Share Posted July 19, 2001 Ah, a man with perspective, Art. I might have known. Wish I could actually say I was completely serious about the TV, at least in the stated timeframe. While it is a desire, and an intent, and in fact something just short of a complete and all-ecompassing, practically debilitating blinding obsession ... I fear that I should probably go ahead and complete the process of selling our house, then moving, refurnishing, landscaping, wiring for sound, etc., the new abode, before indulging the yen for a REALLY BIG TV. That being said ... I'd love to know what's sitting in the living/family rooms of some of my brethren. Could be this thread turns into a research clip 'n save. As far as the $600 they promise, I'll take it when/if it comes, but I ain't losin' sleep over it. Now if they were talkin', say, $6000 ... [ by Om on July 19, 2001.] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 Hell, after you landscape, assuming you live in the suburbs, like me, and purchase a dirt filled lot, like me, you won't have enough for a TV . Landscaping is brutal and adds up quick. Though, I think I got fleeced since when I ordered the rock for my islands and retaining walls, I asked for 22 yards and the Rock Garden looked at me like I was crazy. Shrug. It all fits, and there isn't any extra, so, maybe I wasn't fleeced. I have the Pioneer Elite 53' HDTV ready model. Pioneer Elite is still the best resolution, clearest picture, best image software (for changing a standard broadcast into wide screen without altering the look of the show) on the market, unless you move up to the LCD or gas plasma models. Those are choice, but not yet large enough to merit the cost. I think they are still at 43' as the largest and the cost is coming down, but, even still, it's way more expensive than is proper. More important, though, than the television, is assuring, regardless of model, that you get the proper cabling to fully enjoy your system. DO NOT use composite RCA crap that comes with everything. Buy Monster cables, and string the picture with component video and optical audio if you have those options. ------------------ Doom is in the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Diggler Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 Do any of you living outside of Washington have Direct TV and is it worth it to see 10 or 11 Skins games? Instead of going to the local sports bar that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brave Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 Dirk - I have held out going with the dish up to now. It's gonna happen some day, but I enjoy going to the bars and being surrounded by other fans. The loud cheers and groans. The choices of beer and food. From a purely cost standpoint, it is well worth it to go dish. Think of what you spend each trip to the bar. But socially-speaking, I still prefer the bars. Also, here in NC, we still get quite a few Redskin games. If they are not scheduled at the same time as the Panthers they are usually on. So I only HAVE to go to the bars about 5 or 6 times a season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 Dirk, having the dish is an essential quality of life if you are outside the D.C. area. I'm in Minneapolis now and Durham before and have been with satellite for four years now. It's better than cable as it is, though cable is getting closer with the digital upgrades. But, having the ability to watch the game at home is, to me, better than going to the bar to watch it. I am a vocal fan and rather emotional. When I watch at a bar, I can generally sure someone is going to get his a$$ whooped because I'm pretty much a jerk while watching the game and around others who don't understand, it leaves little other option than to kick butt. Of course, by not going to the bar to watch, I also save my wife from kicking my a$$. . Always an important aspect of things. I don't mind going to the sports bar if it is a Redskin bar, but, being able to watch at home and have folks over and enjoy your day at your own house is much better to me. ------------------ Doom is in the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gibber Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 I live in atlanta and so I had to buy the dish to see the skins games. I think that it is worth it to get the dish since you can save money on beer and food by staying home and drinking on sundays. Going out can get expensive in the ATL. Plus, when the Skins game is over then you have the luxury of watching any other game that you want. It works out very well. Many a Sunday, over the last two years, I have watched a great finish to a game and then I flip the channel to see a game going into overtime. And if you happen to play fantasy football or play office football pools, the direct ticket is the best resource you can have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braves On Warpath Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 Direct Ticket is worth its weight in GOLD! Great for Skins games and great for watching football. Best TV package available IMHO. BTW, prey for no heavy rain in your local on SUN afternoon. Heavy weather is he!! on the whole deal. ------------------ Fight for Old D.C.! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fansince62 Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 OM.....I posted a similar qury last year. My zeal to watch a skins SB got the better of my judgement and I plucked down a hefty wad of cash for a 65" Toshiba. Some thoughts: - complement the TV with surround sound/home theatre - the bigger TVs don't always sell well. I tracked my little pup (floor model) for nearly 8 months. Negotiated a $1500 reduction in price (mark-ups are huge on these things). - knuckle-heads who delivered the set dropped it and chipped a one inch square of cardboard liner off the back of the set....another $500 off - ensure your designated space can be reached. couldn't work my set around some tight corners and had to make some fast decisions! - hdtv is expensive. cox cable will give an initial good deal, but all the frills (including just about all movie channels) will cost after three months or so. - need to decide if you want to buy/rent set-top box. payback period is an obvious criterion if you decide to buy. i rent from cox mostly because a salesman told me last summer that Phillips was going to come out with a relatively inexpensive set-top. haven't seen it yet. - dvd expenses will also mount hmmmmm.....plan on changing your routine and negotiating with the spousal unit over excessive time in front of the idiot box (until the novelty wears off). i simply brought my work with me, clicked on mute, and did my reading with periodic sound feeds to see whre the Soprano's etc were headed! good luck and let's hope both of us earn a better return from the skins on our investment this year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 If it isn't football, at least make it about really expensive toys. I love this place. ------------------ "He has a confidence born of demonstrated ability."<IMG SRC="http://www.ideaspot.net/nfl/NFC_East/medium/wash2-med.gif" border=0> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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